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Riding Freedom
Charlotte Parkhurst was raised in an orphanage for boys, which suited her just fine. She didn't like playing with dolls, she could hold her own in a fight, and she loved to work in the stable. Charlotte had a special way with horses and wanted to spend her life training and riding them on a ranch of her own. The problem was, as a girl in the mid-1800s, Charlotte was expected to live a much different life--one without the freedoms she dreamed of. But Charlotte was smart and determined, and she figured out a way to live her life the way she wanted. Charlotte became an expert horse rider, a legendary stagecoach driver, and the first woman ever to vote. And she did these things at a time when they were outlawed for women. How? With a plan so clever and so secret--almost no one figured it out.
3 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Pam Muñoz Ryan
75 books1,571 followersPam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, ECHO, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She the author recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré medal, the PEN USA award, and many others. Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from San Diego State University and lives in north San Diego county with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 875 reviews
October 26, 2014
Riding Freedom starts a bit slow, but by the end, I wished there was more. Maybe the author kept it short for a young audience, or maybe there's just not a lot known about our subject, Charlotte/Charlie, the heroine of this historical fiction/biographical novel. Whatever the case, I was left with questions about her life.
We know she lived as a man until she died and never married or revealed her secret. But I wondered if her childhood friend ever returned to help her run the ranch that was their dream together, and if so, how he would have dealt with the knowledge of her secret. How would he have treated her--as a man, or a woman? Was she transgendered? We will probably never know that, as I don't think that was recognized at the time. It's impossible to know if Charlotte became a man because she always identified as one, or simply to gain some measure of freedom in a time when women were little more than house slaves.
Though this book is short and simple, it left me with some disturbing reminders of how oppressed women were, as little as a hundred years ago or so. To have even a bit of freedom, just to do what one loved, Charlotte had to become a different person. Not just a different person, but a different sex. Just to be allowed to ride a horse, do a job that she was seemingly gifted at, she had to give up who she was and a large part of what she was.
It's a sobering comment on a woman's life then, that Charlotte's only choice was to give up all that she loved and wanted and dreamed of, or to become a MAN. That's a pretty drastic choice. There was no way for a woman to do what she loved with her life, unless what she loved was to stand around a hot kitchen baking for the men folk all day. What kind of life is that? It's no wonder men didn't want that job...and didn't want women voting their way out of it!
We know she lived as a man until she died and never married or revealed her secret. But I wondered if her childhood friend ever returned to help her run the ranch that was their dream together, and if so, how he would have dealt with the knowledge of her secret. How would he have treated her--as a man, or a woman? Was she transgendered? We will probably never know that, as I don't think that was recognized at the time. It's impossible to know if Charlotte became a man because she always identified as one, or simply to gain some measure of freedom in a time when women were little more than house slaves.
Though this book is short and simple, it left me with some disturbing reminders of how oppressed women were, as little as a hundred years ago or so. To have even a bit of freedom, just to do what one loved, Charlotte had to become a different person. Not just a different person, but a different sex. Just to be allowed to ride a horse, do a job that she was seemingly gifted at, she had to give up who she was and a large part of what she was.
It's a sobering comment on a woman's life then, that Charlotte's only choice was to give up all that she loved and wanted and dreamed of, or to become a MAN. That's a pretty drastic choice. There was no way for a woman to do what she loved with her life, unless what she loved was to stand around a hot kitchen baking for the men folk all day. What kind of life is that? It's no wonder men didn't want that job...and didn't want women voting their way out of it!
September 22, 2020
4.5 stars
Wow, I can finally say that after 20 years that I finally read “Riding Freedom.” This was one of the books to read in my school’s library when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade. It was so popular to the point where I couldn’t get a copy unless I bought it from a book fair. I remember reading a biography on Charley Parkhurst after finding out there was indeed a real Charley but not if I read this book. Decided to air on the side of caution and get it since it was free on Audible. Truth be told, I realize I’m not the demographic this book is meant for but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book as an adult.
I really enjoyed this story. It was almost a perfect book for me except for one thing. I wanted more than the soft hints of romance than what we got. “You know how I feel about you. ...’I know’.” and a nice long hug between them was nice but a kiss on the cheek would have been better. If the author was already taking liberties with the timeline so why not give us a kiss or couple confirmation? I feel after all Hay and Charlotte have been through they deserve love. Plus the real Charley gave birth so why not make them a couple.
The real-life Charley Parkhurst is a great example to kids that you can do anything you want and that nothing should stop you. I think any elementary school student would enjoy this book tremendously. Historical fiction and middle grade book loving readers of any age would enjoy this too.
Wow, I can finally say that after 20 years that I finally read “Riding Freedom.” This was one of the books to read in my school’s library when I was in 2nd and 3rd grade. It was so popular to the point where I couldn’t get a copy unless I bought it from a book fair. I remember reading a biography on Charley Parkhurst after finding out there was indeed a real Charley but not if I read this book. Decided to air on the side of caution and get it since it was free on Audible. Truth be told, I realize I’m not the demographic this book is meant for but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book as an adult.
I really enjoyed this story. It was almost a perfect book for me except for one thing. I wanted more than the soft hints of romance than what we got. “You know how I feel about you. ...’I know’.” and a nice long hug between them was nice but a kiss on the cheek would have been better. If the author was already taking liberties with the timeline so why not give us a kiss or couple confirmation? I feel after all Hay and Charlotte have been through they deserve love. Plus the real Charley gave birth so why not make them a couple.
The real-life Charley Parkhurst is a great example to kids that you can do anything you want and that nothing should stop you. I think any elementary school student would enjoy this book tremendously. Historical fiction and middle grade book loving readers of any age would enjoy this too.
October 12, 2011
I totally loved this book! I didn't discover it was a true story until the final chapter. I thought a lot about how I admire those who can train horses without fear. They are smart animals, but they are huge! The final few chapters were set in Watsonville, CA - Jonathan and I lived there at the beginning of our marriage. It is so pretty there (and home to the world's largest grower of strawberries!) The author did a great job describing the land's beauty. It's the story of the first woman who voted. She was an orphan back east and ran away. She disguised herself as a boy so she could continue working as a stagecoach driver. She eventually lost the sight of one eye due to an accident, but continued to take people all over California during the gold rush. Nobody discovered her true identity as a woman until she passed away. She was only able to vote because people thought she was man. She had a lot of courage, but had to do what she needed in order to survive in a man's world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2014
This book is about a girl that is stuck at an orphanage only because the person in charge of the orphanage keeps on hiding her when it comes to the day of adoption. So everyone thinks the orphanage has only boys when it actually has one girl along with the boys. She eventually runs away and spends majority of her life trying to survive by pretending to be a boy. She spends the rest of her life hiding from the orphanage and anyone that would send her back to the orphanage.
Charlotte Parkhurst is determined to have the chance for more opportunities and to not be told what to do in her life. Her friend Hayward was her only friend she had at the orphanage beside a horse named Freedom. He was going to run away with her and they were going to bring Freedom. Then Freedom died and Hayward got adopted so she was left to figure everything out all by herself.
Riding Freedom took place in 1860, in a orphanage. The orphanage was in California and that's where everything started in the book. Then she ran away and traveled all over the place.
This is a really sad but inspiring book. I would recommend it to younger kids and kids in high school to read. Anyone who loves a book about old country life and someone having to go through a lot of problems to get what they want should definitely read this. The theme for this book is to watch out for those who mean everything to you and to never give up on your dreams no matter what happens.
Charlotte Parkhurst is determined to have the chance for more opportunities and to not be told what to do in her life. Her friend Hayward was her only friend she had at the orphanage beside a horse named Freedom. He was going to run away with her and they were going to bring Freedom. Then Freedom died and Hayward got adopted so she was left to figure everything out all by herself.
Riding Freedom took place in 1860, in a orphanage. The orphanage was in California and that's where everything started in the book. Then she ran away and traveled all over the place.
This is a really sad but inspiring book. I would recommend it to younger kids and kids in high school to read. Anyone who loves a book about old country life and someone having to go through a lot of problems to get what they want should definitely read this. The theme for this book is to watch out for those who mean everything to you and to never give up on your dreams no matter what happens.
December 22, 2017
Possibly closer to three? It's hard to judge chapter books because there's so little time for character development. But Ryan did a surprisingly good job in this for only having 138 pages to work with.
My only real issue is that it's bordering on feminism, which is a slippery slope. Men and women have their roles, but also, the character was in a pretty awful situation.
Anyway, it's a good story. I don't really feel like analyzing the morals and everything right now. I enjoyed reading this a lot. Horses and adventures and persistence and powering through. And fun pace.
My only real issue is that it's bordering on feminism, which is a slippery slope. Men and women have their roles, but also, the character was in a pretty awful situation.
Anyway, it's a good story. I don't really feel like analyzing the morals and everything right now. I enjoyed reading this a lot. Horses and adventures and persistence and powering through. And fun pace.
September 11, 2019
I recently read The Whip by Karen Kondazian and found the character of Charley Parkhurst so interesting I immediately sought out this children's version just to get another quick take on the story. To keep the interest of kids, the character's birthdate has been moved a few decades so Parkhurst can be a child and young adult for most of the book. Pretty standard children's fare with a plucky and determined protagonist facing some difficult circumstances and choices.
Neither book seems to do justice to the character, but with so little known about this actual historical figure I guess it is pretty easy for everyone to project their own beliefs, agendas, or end goals onto the tale.
Neither book seems to do justice to the character, but with so little known about this actual historical figure I guess it is pretty easy for everyone to project their own beliefs, agendas, or end goals onto the tale.
April 22, 2024
Good one!
June 1, 2020
Este si que lo leí cuando era muuuy peque, y me gustó tanto que estuve obsesionada con los caballos por mucho tiempo.
August 22, 2024
Riding Freedom tells the remarkable story of Charlotte, a determined girl who defies societal norms by living as a man, to pursue her passion for horses. Through hardships and relentless courage, more commonly known in her time as Charley Parkhurst or 'One eyed Charley' she becomes a successful stagecoach driver and the first woman to vote in American history. The book brilliantly captures her journey, showcasing the strength required to survive in a world that denied her basic freedoms, like home and business ownership, working with horses, and voting, ultimately forcing her to live a life as a man in order to achieve those freedoms. An inspiring, empowering read for all ages and especially appropriate for young readers.
May 8, 2015
Riding Freedom is a historical fiction book by Pam Muñoz Ryan that is based on the actual person, Charlotte "Charley" Darkey Parkhurst. The person is real, but most of the story is just from the author's imagination. I really enjoyed reading the beginning, when I am introduced to Charley and how she was so strong to survive multiple fevers and even a large crash that killed her parents instantly when Charley was two and a half years old.
I think the title is called "Riding Freedom" because in the first few pages, it introduces her friend Vern and how he names the horses in the stable with things like "Justice, Charity, and Hope." Freedom is the horse that Charley rides often.
As I was finishing this book, I found myself researching more about Charley, and in most biographies, I found that Charley was actually referred to as a "he." It was only until Charley died in Watsonville that they discovered she was female. Pam Munoz Ryan, the author of this book, basically fit an entire biography about Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst including many lines of dialogue into 137 pages. It is really hard for me to even describe this book. It is really sad, and sometimes, especially for stories that happen in real life, I just wish I could warn the character not to do something. On one hand, I hoped Charley would just stay at the orphanage and work in the kitchen. That way, she would not have gotten blind in one eye. One the other hand, I am glad she never got out of her disguise as a man.
I learned to follow your heart, no matter the trouble it may lead you into. (Says Vern) If you make a mistake, that's all right. Just try not to repeat the error. (Says Charley) I also learned a lot about horses in this book. For example, different horses have different preferences. Some horses don't like to be ridden hard, but some are fine with it.
I think the title is called "Riding Freedom" because in the first few pages, it introduces her friend Vern and how he names the horses in the stable with things like "Justice, Charity, and Hope." Freedom is the horse that Charley rides often.
As I was finishing this book, I found myself researching more about Charley, and in most biographies, I found that Charley was actually referred to as a "he." It was only until Charley died in Watsonville that they discovered she was female. Pam Munoz Ryan, the author of this book, basically fit an entire biography about Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst including many lines of dialogue into 137 pages. It is really hard for me to even describe this book. It is really sad, and sometimes, especially for stories that happen in real life, I just wish I could warn the character not to do something. On one hand, I hoped Charley would just stay at the orphanage and work in the kitchen. That way, she would not have gotten blind in one eye. One the other hand, I am glad she never got out of her disguise as a man.
I learned to follow your heart, no matter the trouble it may lead you into. (Says Vern) If you make a mistake, that's all right. Just try not to repeat the error. (Says Charley) I also learned a lot about horses in this book. For example, different horses have different preferences. Some horses don't like to be ridden hard, but some are fine with it.
June 7, 2008
This historical fiction book is based on Parkhurst's life and experiences. Although this book has a slow (and tragic) beginning, it picks up speed as it moves along. Charlotte was raised as an orphan with all boys. She eventually ran away and spent her life disguised as a man. Because she was disguised as a man, she was the first woman ever to vote (even though no one realized she was a woman until her death).
As a woman living in the 1800's, Charlotte had to maintain her disguise in order to live the life she wanted. This was the beginning of the women suffrage movement. Women felt that they should be able to do anything a man can do. This book is very inspiring to me because it showed me how much women back then had to go through to get the freedom they wanted. I would recommend this book to anyone who are interested in horses, stories about tomboys, the history of the US in the mid-1800s, and the early days of the women's suffrage movement.
As a woman living in the 1800's, Charlotte had to maintain her disguise in order to live the life she wanted. This was the beginning of the women suffrage movement. Women felt that they should be able to do anything a man can do. This book is very inspiring to me because it showed me how much women back then had to go through to get the freedom they wanted. I would recommend this book to anyone who are interested in horses, stories about tomboys, the history of the US in the mid-1800s, and the early days of the women's suffrage movement.
June 20, 2024
This chapter book is based on the true story of an orphan girl, Charlotte, who pretends she is a boy so that she can become a stage coach driver in 19th Century America. The story moves fast because it chronicles important events in her life and glosses over the rest. She remains incognito throughout and even secretly votes in a Presidential Election. The book offers many opportunities to discuss rights, responsibilities and rules with children. We had a lot of fun discussing when it is okay to break the rules.
Here I am in 2024, reading this book again for the first time in awhile with a small group of pre-fifth graders during summer school. The potential for conversations about identity and gender expectations and other topics is so strong - I love it!
Here I am in 2024, reading this book again for the first time in awhile with a small group of pre-fifth graders during summer school. The potential for conversations about identity and gender expectations and other topics is so strong - I love it!
April 1, 2014
I read this book for my Children's Literature class and was a little disappointed. I never experienced much of an attachment for the characters after the first few chapters. Charlotte in the orphanage was spunky and full of personality, but Charley the stagecoach driver seemed a stiff and purely biographical telling of a person who lived a long time ago. I felt only confusion about the relationship between Charlotte and her friend Hayward. I did enjoy the adventures Charley faced in her life, but I never felt like I got to know her. Obviously, there is only so much liberty one could take in a biographical novel, but Charley never seemed like anything other than a character strained to be a child's hero, and not as an American woman with a relatable life.
November 24, 2019
I remember reading this book in grade school. It was part of the book challenge we did for that year. This is probably where I picked up my research bug from. After reading that is book was based off a real person I had to find out what happened to her. I thought this book was amazing! I loved the plot and characters of the story. I might re-read this book if I can find another copy.
Re-read 2019 I still loved reading this story. I can remember why I fell in love with this and how this story got me interested in History. I wanted to learn more about Charlotte aka Charley. Shorter then I remember, but still good.
Re-read 2019 I still loved reading this story. I can remember why I fell in love with this and how this story got me interested in History. I wanted to learn more about Charlotte aka Charley. Shorter then I remember, but still good.
January 1, 2020
Acclaimed author Pam Muñoz Ryan crafted together a beautiful novel that proves a girls strength and wit. I have to say that I enjoyed every second of reading it. The mid- 1800's was the perfect time frame for this book since it gave Charlotte/Charlie a chance to stand up for women's rights. I have read this book over and over again and still never get bored of it. From racing on horses to getting kicked in the eye this novel has every exciting thing you can imagine. If horses are your life, or even if the only time you have encountered a horse was in your books, this novel will not disappoint!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2021
I very highly recommend this book. Although it is classified juvenile fiction, it is very enjoyable for any age. And based on a true story of a girl who survived by disguising herself as a boy and went on as a woman to disguise herself as a man. After her death her gender was discovered. And she was noted as the first woman to register and vote in California, even though she had to disguise herself as a man in order to do it.
Beautiful story of her connection with horses and of actually realizing her childhood dream in spite of great obstacles.
Beautiful story of her connection with horses and of actually realizing her childhood dream in spite of great obstacles.
February 11, 2009
I read this with my son as part of a school assignment. It was wonderful. Based on a true story - I love those. Well written and great messages. I love books where everything works out in the end after a lot of adversity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2011
This book is awesome!!!! I read it a long time ago, but I still remember parts that I would say, but don't want to ruin the story for you. READ THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVE SINCE !!! (just kidding)
April 1, 2020
Read this with my 5th grader. It’s a very good, short, easy read for young readers. A very touching piece of historical fiction.
October 23, 2022
Based on the life of a real woman. This is a super cool story and really short. Totally worth the time to read!!!
November 4, 2022
Great story
November 10, 2023
My daughter read this in her class and loved it so much she loves wanted to read it again with me. I loved it too!
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March 4, 2024See my review here. https://oldoriginalthoughts.blogspot....
March 20, 2019
This quick read follows the life of Charlotte, a young orphan with a charming personality and strong ability to work with horses. The historical fiction novel depicts the hardships that women faced before it was legal to vote in the United States, and Charlotte's determination to live in a "man's world" where she won't be accepted is remarkable.
January 14, 2020
Great story about a tomboy when she ran away from the orphanage.
May 10, 2024
Pamela Munoz Ryan never disappoints :)
December 26, 2023
Great historical fiction read based on the life of a real woman! Set in the mid 1800s it tells of the life of Charlotte, an orphan, who disguises herself as a boy to gain her independence. She moves out West in hopes of achieving her dreams. Easily understandable and, I believe, an engaging adventure for 3rd-5th graders.
May 7, 2021
I listened to this one during a recent readathon. Quite honestly I picked it just because I wanted a fairly short audiobook and I had it on my Audible app.
I knew almost nothing about the story, and I certainly did not expect that I would love it as much as I did. Based on a real historical figure and with its feminist perspective, this is a middle grade book I’m very surprised I’ve not read before now.
I’m so happy it made its way into my readathon pile!
I knew almost nothing about the story, and I certainly did not expect that I would love it as much as I did. Based on a real historical figure and with its feminist perspective, this is a middle grade book I’m very surprised I’ve not read before now.
I’m so happy it made its way into my readathon pile!
November 2, 2019
Great story of a great woman from before women were allowed to be considered great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 875 reviews